18.1.79.
165
A. 13
1130 HONG LONG REFUGEES
There has been a new development over the refugee
ship Huey Fong, which has been anchored off Hong Kong for nearly
a month with nearly three-thousand refugees from Vietnam on board.
The Hong Kong authorities now say the vessel can enter its harbour
waters, but it gives a warning that the captain could face
prosecution and possible heavy penalties for carrying excess
rassengers and entering port illegally. The authorities maintain,
however, that the vessel should in fact go to its original
destination, Taiwan. A correspondent for the BIC in Hong Kong says
the change in the authorities' attitude follows the onset of cold
weather, new legislation designed to deter other refugee ships from
entering Hong Kong and the provision for detention of illegal
immigrants for an indefinite period. Our correspondent says the
decisions of the British and other governments to increase the
number of refugees they are prepared to accept also played a part.
If the refugees come ashore, accommodation is available. The
captain is understood to be consulting the refugees.
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